Xu Jiang was surprised and asked, "Really?"
Hu Xu nodded, "The formal apprenticeship ceremony will be held in three days."
To worship Yuan Zu as a teacher means one has already stepped into the official career. Xu Jiang's eyes were smiling into slits, "Congratulations."
"It's just..." Hu Xu apologized, "It's just that I can't come to the bookstore often from now on. I'm afraid the owner will have to find someone else."
Shopkeeper Wang didn't wait for him and Xu Jiang to express their feelings to each other, but instead waited for the two to part ways. He was so upset that he quickly scalded two pieces of meat to calm his nerves.
"No problem, it's quiet here anyway, I can just look for it slowly."
Seeing her indifferent look, Hu Xu's eyes flashed with disappointment.
Shopkeeper Wang shook his head and thought: This idiot is a fool, no wonder he can't find a wife.
Xu Jiang poured a glass of wine for each of them and congratulated Hu Xu, saying, "I wish Zhuchun a speedy admission to the imperial examination and a bright future."
Shopkeeper Wang also echoed, "Get admitted to the university as soon as possible."
"Thank you for your kind words."
The three of them raised their glasses and toasted to the future.
After the meal, the two were about to say goodbye. Xu Jiang asked Hu Xu to wait and gave him the wages.
"Actually, there's no need to be so anxious." Hu Xu felt a little uncomfortable.
Xu Jiang knew he had misunderstood, so she said, "I'm not trying to drive you away. Have you forgotten? To perform the apprenticeship ceremony, you need to prepare a tuition."
"Boss..."
Xu Jiang took out the set of teacups she had brought back today and gave them to him. "When I first saw them today, I felt they were perfect for you. I'm giving them to you as a gift to celebrate the arrival of a good teacher."
When Hu Xu opened it, he saw a set of tea cups with bamboo branches painted on them, and he was deeply moved.
"You've been so kind to me, Zhuchun, I don't know how to repay you."
Shopkeeper Wang was about to yell, "You've pledged your love to me! How can I repay you? You're truly hopeless!"
"When you have time in the future, just give me two more calligraphy works." Xu Jiang joked, "Perhaps Zhu Chun's calligraphy works in the future will be worth a fortune in this capital."
Hu Xu also smiled and said, "Okay."
After seeing the two off, the smile on Xu Jiang's face gradually faded, and she couldn't help feeling disappointed. But when she thought about how Hu Xu had endured so many years and was finally about to make it, she couldn't help but be happy for him.
All good things must come to an end.
She looked back at the painting of "Drying Persimmons" hanging behind the counter and sighed silently.
The Lower Lantern Festival is coming soon.
The capital city gradually became lively. Xu Jiang opened the shop early in the morning, and people came to buy paper lanterns, write plaques, write couplets, buy pens and ink... There was no interruption.
Some people asked her to write, and she wrote down the names of all the people, let them choose the couplets, and then wrote them down slowly when she had some free time. It was not until after noon that she finally had some free time, and she took a cup of tea and sipped it slowly at the door.
I feel a little uncomfortable without Hu Xu.
After drinking tea, I was about to go back to the house when I suddenly heard the sound of horse hooves. I looked up and saw it was Lou Yunchun.
He reined in his horse and stopped in front of the bookstore, looking at the woman leaning against the door. "I'm here to return the book."
Xu Jiang's eyes curved, "I know." After saying that, she put down the tea bowl and went forward to lead his horse.
Lou Yunchun rolled over and let her tie the horse under a tree.
"Sir, please."
The two of them entered the house together. Xu Jiang went to look for his library deed. He followed her to the counter and immediately saw the painting hanging behind her.
"persimmon?"
Xu Jiang looked up, following his gaze, and said with a smile, "Hmm, persimmons." Seeing that he was staring at them, she thought he wanted to eat them, so she said, "It's been a while, so they should be ready to eat."
She took the book, handed him the loan agreement, and said, "If you are not busy, please wait here for a while."
"Not busy." Lou Yunchun nodded.
Xu Jiang returned to the backyard and brought a wooden steamer from the woodblock printing room. She removed the lid, peeled off the dried persimmon skins, and pulled out a few frosted persimmons. She squeezed them, finding them completely soft, and then took out a few more, placed them on a plate, and brought them out for Lou Yunchun to taste.
She led him to the stove, asked him to sit down, and poured him a bowl of hot tea. She pushed the dried persimmon cake and tea in front of him and said with a smile, "Try it."
Lou Yunchun first drank a sip of tea to clear his mouth, then picked up a persimmon cake, carefully put it into his mouth, and bit off the tip.
Sweet, not astringent.
He then bit off another half and chewed it slowly.
"Delicious, right?" Xu Jiang also picked up one and broke it open, revealing a bright yellow sugar core. "This persimmon is a good variety. The persimmon cake made from it is flawless and has no slag or tendons, and is very sweet."
Lou Yunchun didn't answer. He ate three or four in one go.
Xu Jiang quickly stopped him and said, "Drink some tea before eating. It's too sweet for your teeth."
He withdrew his hand regretfully and picked up the teacup.
Xu Jiang thought it was quite interesting to watch this man eat. Before he ate, it was as if someone wanted to poison him, but after tasting the sweetness, he lost control.
"Madam Xu! Seeing everyone else painting lanterns, my son wants to do the same, so he came to buy some paper from you." Shopkeeper Wang saw a man sitting with his back to him as he entered the shop. He didn't see clearly and thought it was Hu Xu, so he asked, "Is Zhuchun here too? Didn't he say he wouldn't come today?"
Lou Yunchun turned around and froze in his tracks. Who was this man? Where did he come from?
"This is..."
"You want to buy some paper?" Xu Jiang invited him in and asked him to sit down. "Eat some dried persimmon first. I'll go cut some for you."
When Shopkeeper Wang heard there was food, he hurried over and said, "You've been dead for so long, you finally have something to eat."
He picked one up and took a bite, "Sweet." Then he looked up and saw the man next to him staring at him blankly, which almost scared him to death.
"Nice to meet you. I'm the owner of the rice shop next door. My last name is Wang. May I know yours?"
"building."
"Hello, Brother Lou." Shopkeeper Wang felt that this man was cold and difficult to get along with, so he didn't say anything more and just picked up the plate of persimmon cakes in front of him and ate.
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